Timer mechanism



E. W. TURNER.

TIMER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION min OCT. 20. I919.

1,41 7,36 1 Patented May 23, 1922.

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avwentoz PATENT OFFICE.

EARL W. TURNER, OF KOKOMO, INDIANA.

TIMER MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1922.

Application filed October 30, 1919. Serial No. 334,501.

7'0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EARL W. TURNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kokomo, in the county of Howard and State of Indiana, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Timer Mechanism, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to timer mechanisms for the ignition systems ofexplosive engines and has for its object to provide an extremely compacttimer structure which may be readily applied to the interior of thecasing or supporting mechanism of conventional timers now in use forreplacing worn or broken parts.

Another object is the provision of a timer mechanism including animproved type of rotary contact element which, due to its extremesimplicity, is capable of economical manufacture and is not liable tobecome broken or damaged.

With these and other objects in view as will appear as the descriptionproceeds the invention comprises the novel features of constructioncombination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be morefully described in the following specification and set forth withparticularity in the claims appended hereto.

Figure 1 represents a rear elevation of the improved timer, the driveshaft therefor being shown in section.

Figure 2 represents a diametrical sectional view in the plane of thesection line 2-2 of F i re 1.

'igure 3 represents a sectional view at right angles to Figure 2 takenin the plane of the section line 3-3of Figure 1.

Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the contact member removed.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein similar reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral5 indicates a cup-shaped insulator the size of which may be variedaccording to the size and type of timer mechunism in ronnection withwhich the device is to he used. The circular body portion of theinsulator is formed with a central opening (3 and in the space betweenthe edge of the opening and the annular flange 7 a series of cquidistanlrelatively stationary contact members 8 are anchored in the insulator.'lhe contacts 8 are arranged with their rear surfaces flush with therear surface of the body of the cup shaped insulator and the latter ispreferably formed of a fibrous material having the requisite electricalresisting qualities in order that the contacts may be fitted thereinduring manufacture of the articlefor economical reasons and for rigidityand permanency of the structure. The terminals of the conductors 9forming a part of the ignition system of the engine are connected withthe contacts 8 and are extended from the back of the insulator and areprop erly connected with the electrical devices of the ignition system.

The cam shaft 10 or other rotatable part of the explosive engine whichis utilized to operate the timer mechanism is extended into the rearopen portion of the cup-shaped insulator 5 and supports a sleeve 1Ohaving a radially projecting arm 11 constituting a support for therotary contact element designated generally by the numeral 12. Thesleeve is rigidly and movably secured in position upon the end of theshaft 10 by a lock nut 13 or equivalent fastening device which is freelymovable through the openin 6 in the center of the [lat body portion 0%the insulator facilitating convenient removal of the latter from thesleeve and shaft terminal.

One end of the rotary contact member 12 is curved, the axis of the curvebeing the same as the axis of the circular series of contacts 8, andapertures 14 are formed in the curved terminal for receiving screwsrigidly and electrically connecting the end of the contact with the arm11. The opposite extremity of the contact is rolled or of cylindricalform as indicated at 16 and the adjacent portion of the strip ofmaterial from which the contact is constructed is formed with an off set17 disposing the rolled terminal 16 thereof in the plane of and incontactwith the rear surface of the insulator 5. The strip of materialfrom which the rotary contact 12 is formed has sufficient resiliency andthe form of the contact is such as to normally maintain the rolledterminal in engagement with the rear face of the insulator undersufiicient pressure to ensure proper electrical connection between therotary contact member and the stationary contact members as the latterare successively engaged during rotary motion of the member 12.

Owing to the shape and compactness of the timer structure, the latter,with proper variations in dimensions may be readily upplied inconventional types of timer casings now in use and the replacement ofthe usual internal timer mcehunism by my imprnved timer is a matter ofslight inconvenience and advantageous from the standpoint-etc pcnscowing to the utter simplicity of the device and the possibility ofextreme economy in its manufacture.

The rolled extremity 'of the rotary contact member 12 is provided withinSolid tip 12 of stellite or bronee as indicated by the heavy line inFigure 4, having ,the necessary wearresisting 'and. ngn-eorrosivegnalities'fto prolong the life 'of the timer and eliminate necessityC-l" !;(.l'i b i('2li cleaning of the (nuuzct surfaces Ilr-rcolI [n 11timer structure for explosive engines. a movable conta t clementZ!'-|Hl)i.(.i 10; connection with :1 timer zuln vunstructerl if 11'-silient material ill 'lurling :1 (l curred concentrically t0 Lheuxis ofthe timer arm and having one cnrl rollcil and having the medial portionoff set In testimony whereof. I nliix my signature hereto.

EARL W. TURNER.

